4 Ways to Battle a Creative Slump

October 11, 2017

by Darby Fike

If you have a job in marketing or advertising, you’re expected to be creative every day.

This isn’t a shocker to most, and it wasn’t to me when I accepted my internship. However, I alsoknow that there are times when you’re supposed to be creative and not a single idea comes to you. It can strike anytime. Maybe you’re designing a poster, and the only progress you’ve made is placing the logo in the corner. Or when you have to write a press release, and the only words that you can think of are “the” and “or.”

This happens to me more than I like to admit. Even for the most expressive and innovative thinkers, there are days when you can’t think of a new idea. Some call this a creative slump or writers block. But how do you get out of it? Here are four different methods I use to battle a creative slump:

Change your scenery: A simple change of scenery and getting out of the same space can help. Try going for a walk through a park or working from a coffee shop. Changing what you are looking at can give some inspiration, which can lead to ideas.

Bounce ideas off a team member: If you can’t think of something, ask a team member if they can help. They won’t do the work for you, but they can provide a new perspective which can lead to generating ideas of your own.

Give yourself a deadline: If you work well under pressure, give yourself a deadline. This can give you the extra push you need to come up with an idea.

Switch up your daily routine: Take a different route to work, go to a new place for lunch, or listen to a new soundtrack. An ordinary daily routine can stunt your creativity. New experiences or a different way of thinking can give you inspiration and help you think of new ideas as well.

Going through a creative slump happens to the best of us. It might last a day or a month, but just remember that it isn’t permanent. You need to find ways to bring that spark back into your life. There is no right way to do it – just find an approach that works for you!